Rotary Club of State College Downtown contributes nearly $40,000 to local organizations

State College Downtown Rotary Club president George Trudeau presents Carol Pioli from the State College Food Bank with a check for $6,000. Photo provided

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The Rotary Club of State College Downtown ended its Rotary year in July by presenting checks to seven local human service organizations.

"Thanks to our club membership – especially our very active fundraising committee — this was one of the most successful years in recent memory," stated George Trudeau, immediate past president whose term ended in early July.

At the club's meeting on July 10, $15,000 was donated to groups including the Food Bank of State College, the YMCA of Centre County and the Schlow Library Summer Reading Program.

The largest check was presented to the Food Bank of State College. Carol Pioli, executive director, accepted $6,000 on behalf of her organization. According to recent data, the Food Bank provides needed food to 2,200 people each year. The Rotary Club State College Downtown has had a long-term relationship with the Food Bank, providing fresh produce donated by local farmers.

A check for $2,000 will be sent to the YMCA of Centre County.

Anita Dietz, librarian at Schlow Centre Region Library, accepted a donation of $2,000 that will go toward the purchase of books for the Summer Reading Program at the library.

A donation of $2,000 was made to the Discovery Space. Allayn Beck, interim executive director, noted that the funds would be used to expand current science exhibits at the facility.

A gift of $1,000 was made to the Women's Resource Center. Anne Ard, executive director, accepted the donation on behalf of the organization that provides safe shelter and mentoring for women in danger of domestic abuse.

Checks for $1,000 each were presented to Centre Peace and Bridges to Prosperity.

Bridges to Prosperity is a group of Penn State students who build footbridges over impassable rivers in impoverished rural areas across the globe. This summer the non-profit built a bridge in Membrillo, Panama, allowing residents better access to healthcare, education and economic markets. The $1,000 donated to Bridges to Prosperity is in addition to $1,000 presented earlier in 2014.

The Rotary Club of State College Downtown also donated $1,000 to the Sue Sheridan Fund, to help needy State College Area School District students.

This story was produced by the staff at the Centre County Gazette. It was re-published with permission. The Centre County Gazette is a weekly publication, available at many locations around Centre County every Thursday morning.
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